WHAT: Bike riders of all ages are gearing up once again for the Red Ribbon Ride the largest cycling event for HIV/AIDS in Minnesota and the second largest in the United States. Hundreds of cyclists and supporters will gather at Mall of America® on July 19 to kick-off the 10th anniversary opening ceremony. The ride will take participants on a four day, nearly 300-mile journey, to raise money for eight Minnesota AIDS service organizations including The Aliveness Project, Clare Housing, African American AIDS Task Force and Minnesota AIDS Project.

The charity bike ride will take riders through southern Minnesota with overnight stops in Lake City, Rochester and Northfield. Participants are provided with daily meals, water and snack stops, massage and chiropractic services as well as first aid support, 24-hour bike camp security, bike repair mechanics and more. The ride will finish with a closing ceremony at the State Capitol on July 22.

The mission of Minnesota Fighting AIDS on Bikes, or MN-FAB, is to educate the public about HIV and to raise funds and awareness to support Minnesota AIDS service organizations. Through this mission, the Red Ribbon Ride was born. Participants set a fundraising goal of $1,500 in donations and hope to raise over $450,000 this year.

For more information, visit www.redribbonride.org.

VISUALS: More than 200 riders, 125 crew and hundreds of spectators for opening ceremony

More than 200 cyclists riding out of the Mall to begin event

WHEN: Thursday, July 19

5 a.m. Out-of-state participants arrive

6 a.m. Local participants and spectators encouraged to arrive

6:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony

6:55 a.m. Participants ride out at North Entrance to MOA

WHERE: Mall of America - North Garden

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nations largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe®, the nations largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.

Media Contact:

Erin Vande Steeg

952.200.8618

erin.vandesteeg@moa.net

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